FUNNYMAN * A NATURAL WOMAN * THE LIFE-CHANGING MAGIC OF TIDYING UP

Funnyman - This world premier by playwright Bruce Graham was excellent and I'm so happy that the run was extended and that I got to see it on Saturday with Nancy L at our local Northlight theater. The play is art imitating life, while it's about life imitating art. It takes place in New York around 1960; George Wendt plays Chick Sherman, a vaudeville comic whose recent jobs have been tv commercials where he plays a caricature of himself. He's a curmudgeon with a grown daughter who doesn't realize how much her dad loves her. Chick's agent, Junior, is played by Tim Kazurinsky with with sweetness and wisdom. There is an opportunity for Chick to star in an off Broadway play written by a flamboyant southern playwright and directed by a snarky young director. And from there the story flows in the hands of these well-known talented actors. See it if you get the chance. A Natural Woman a memoir by Carole King - When I first heard Tapestry in 1970 at my new friend Paula's house, the album was so good that we played it over and over and over the entire weekend. There was room for no other music, and when I came home, I went straight to Korvette on Telegraph Road and bought it. Korvette's price at $3.74 was the best for almost any album, and Korvette was where I'd pick up my Keener 13 numerical hit list of the latest songs on the music charts. But I digress. Carole's songs are so simple and beautiful and Tapestry is still one of my all time favorites. Her life story is full of joy and success, but as with all of us, there were bumps along the way. She's super intelligent and thoughtful in addition to being a musical prodigy and songwriter and amazing collaborator. She is generous with her praise and with crediting others for the roles they played in her life. I loved reading this book, and couldn't put it down. It's as beautiful as she is. the life-changing magic of tidying up the Japanese art of decluttering and organizing by Marie Kondo - I read this last spring and immediately got down to Kondo-ing my closet. This consisted of putting all of my clothes (including shoes, purses and other accessories) from every dresser drawer, every closet and every room on Peter's bed and all over every surface in that room. Then I proceeded through the daunting task of going through it item by item and asking myself whether that item sparks joy to me. (You've got to read the book in order to understand the concept of sparking joy, but I caught on right away). I decided what to keep and returned only those items to my closet, arranged by season, type and color. The giveaway pile was huge, and much went right out the door. Then there were the items that I was able to sell at a yard sale. Now, sadly, I must report that there are a few piles left, consisting of clothes I want to sell and use to upcycle into interesting projects. My closet, however, is pure joy. I can see all that I have, and am pretty happy with what I wear every day.